First study on food habits of anteaters, Myrmecophaga tridactyla and Tamandua tetradactyla, at the southern limit of their distribution

Abstract

This study provides data on the diet of two species of anteaters in Argentina. We worked with feces and the stomachs of road kill individuals. The feces were washed to separate the soil material consumed and 100 ml of the stomachs' content were taken and examined. The differences in diet between both species of anteaters are related to their habits and the availability of ants. Ants consumed by Myrmecophaga tridactyla have mainly soil habits, nesting and foraging in the leaf litter. Meanwhile, ants consumed by Tamandua tetradactyla are characterized by foraging both at the ground level and on vegetation.